The province of Messina covers an area of
3,247.34 square kilometres with as far as 108 cities that include places of
highest historical and naturalistic interest. Despite numerous disasters, as
were a devastating earthquake in 1908 and different ravaging wars, the city of
Messina managed to regain its former splendor, today combined with a modern
urban planning. The Madonna della Lettera is the saint patron of the
province’s capital city. The ruins of the church of Santa Maria d’Alemanna
are particularly worth-mentioning. Having miraculously survived ravages of
time, wars and natural disasters, they represent rare specimens of the Gothic
art.

Originally named Zancle, a Greek colony founded
in the 8th century BC, Messina counts today about 270,000
inhabitants. It boasts a renowned cuisine that much owes to centuries of
intense commercial and cultural exchanges. Rice and cod-fish are among the
city’s best appreciated foods, used as integral ingredients in many dishes.
Other specialties are most renowned, such as the sword-fish and mint or lamb
and vegetables pasta, that are then flavored with delicious sauces. Some
patisserie specialties are also worth-mentioning, most notably the Riso Nero
(black rice) and the Crocchette di riso (rice croquettes).